Head-to-head reliability
Honda Cbr250r vs FORD F 150
How the Honda Cbr250r and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Honda Cbr250r vs FORD F 150: The Honda CBR250R has 19 complaints over 3 years and 0 recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years and 151 recalls. The Honda's main issue is stalling, while the Ford's is transmission and electrical problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Cbr250r or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Cbr250r
The Honda CBR250R is a small-displacement sport motorcycle often bought as a first bike or commuter. Over three years, NHTSA logged 19 complaints, with no recalls and a heavy concentration in engine and speed-control issues. Owners repeatedly describe stalling and power cutting out while riding or at a stop, which can be alarming in traffic. The low complaint count suggests problems are not widespread, but the stalling pattern is a recurring theme.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup used for work, family hauling, and towing. In ten years, NHTSA recorded 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls, with power train and electrical problems dominating. Owners report transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and electrical glitches that can affect drivability. The sheer volume of reports means many trucks have had issues, though not every truck will experience all of them.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Cbr250r | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 19 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 6.3 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Honda Cbr250r
- 01ENGINE15
- 02VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
- 03ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
Owners report the bike stalling and cutting power randomly while riding or at a stop, often described as a known software problem. This matters because a sudden loss of power can be dangerous in traffic.
Complaints link stalling to clutch-in downshifts, where the engine shuts off intermittently. A buyer should test ride and check for any hesitation or shutdown when decelerating.
Some owners report failed starts and a muffler that fell off, possibly from vibration. These are mechanical annoyances that could strand a rider or require unexpected repairs.
One owner described the engine turning off and the dash display going dead while slowing down, though it restarted with a key cycle. Electrical gremlins can be hard to diagnose and may recur.
“THE PART THAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM IS A KNOWN SOFTWARE PROBLEM ON THE BIKE AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE BIKE IS STALLING AND CUTTING POWER WHILE I AM RIDING OR AT A STOP, IT SEEMS TO BE RANDOM. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I RIDE, HOWEVER, AND IS VERY DANGEROUS.…”
“2012 HONDA CBR 250. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MOTORCYCLES FAILED TO START. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, WHICH WAS SEPTEMBER 2012, THE MUFFLER FELL OFF THE BIKE, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE MUFFLER MAY HAVE VIBRATED LOOSE. OCTOBER 5,…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power or near collisions. These issues can be expensive and may recur even after repair.
Complaints include lead frame problems and output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. Electrical faults can disable safety features and leave the truck in a reduced-power state.
One owner reported the rear window shattering after using the defroster, possibly due to a short. This is a rare but startling event that could cause injury or costly glass replacement.
This component appears among the top complaint areas, though sample texts do not detail specific failures. Lighting problems can affect visibility and may be a recurring annoyance.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Honda Cbr250r
No recalls on record.
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Honda Cbr250r or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Honda CBR250R has far fewer complaints per year (about 6.3) than the Ford F-150 (about 1,162 per year). In practice, the motorcycle is likely to have fewer reported problems overall, but the stalling issue is a serious safety concern when it occurs. The F-150's much higher volume means many trucks have had transmission or electrical repairs, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is critical.
Key differences
- The Honda CBR250R has 19 complaints and 0 recalls over 3 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls over 10 years.
- Honda owners report stalling and power cutouts, often linked to engine or speed control, whereas Ford owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The Ford F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, compared to 1 crash-related and 1 injury for the Honda CBR250R.
- The Honda's issues seem concentrated in a few areas, while the Ford's problems span power train, electrical, lighting, and other systems.
- During a test ride, check for any stalling or power loss when pulling in the clutch to downshift or when coming to a stop.
- Ask if the bike has had any software updates or warranty repairs for stalling, and listen for unusual noises or vibration that could indicate a loose muffler.
- Scan for transmission trouble codes and test drive at highway speeds to see if the truck enters limp mode or gets stuck in a gear.
- Inspect the rear window for cracks or signs of stress, and check if the defroster has caused any shattering or electrical shorts.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls, especially on the Ford F-150.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Honda CBR250R for stalling issues and the Ford F-150 for transmission and electrical faults.
- Test ride the motorcycle in stop-and-go traffic and test drive the truck on highways and hills to replicate limp mode conditions.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly any repairs related to the reported problem areas.
- Verify that any recall work on the Ford F-150 was completed by a dealership.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Honda Cbr250r or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Cbr250r vs FORD F 150
- Honda Cbr250r total complaints
- 19
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Honda Cbr250r total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Honda Cbr250r avg complaints/year
- 6.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Honda Cbr250r
- Honda Cbr250r top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN